How to teach your kids about healthy eating

Do
your little ones know how to make the healthiest food choices at the
school tuck shop? According to new research by the Stephanie Alexander
Kitchen Garden Foundation and Medibank, 50 per cent of parents don’t
think their kids would know where to start.
Medibank chief medical officer Dr Linda Swan says it’s important to talk to your kids to help them develop healthy lifestyles.

Make time for family meals

“Almost
one-in-five primary school children don’t eat dinner around the table
with their family regularly,” Swan says. “However, meal times are a
great opportunity to talk about what’s on their plate, to encourage them
to try new foods, and let them see and hear what other members of the
family like to eat.”

Let your kids into the kitchen

Having
kids in the kitchen to help you cook for a party is an excellent way to
teach them about food. “The compliments they’ll receive from guests is
likely to motivate them to be in the kitchen more,” Swans says. “Even
simple things such as getting them to fetch ingredients from the fridge,
or to clean or peel vegies are all excellent ways to engage them.”

Get their hands dirty

Let
them help you plant fruits and vegies in the backyard, or if you don’t
have a big space, grow herbs on a sunny windowsill. “Kids will feel
proud and excited to eat something they’ve been involved in growing,
picking, and cooking themselves,” Swan says.